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IAS124 - Contested Knowledges

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Indigenous Knowledges

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

(IND173)

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

Contested Knowledges focuses on issues of knowledge production and how this relates to research and the management of resources in Northern Australia. The unit introduces students to issues of knowledge creation, maintenance and validation, and the way in which these processes are contingent upon our social and cultural histories. The unit emphasises the importance of the contingency of knowledge to the ways in which people conduct research and develop, manage and maintain resources.This is achieved through analysis of the relationship between knowledge and structures of power and authority.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Analyse the concept of contingent knowledge systems.
2.	Examine the history of the western scientific tradition and important events that have shaped dominant systems of knowledge in Australia.
3.	Analyse the relationship between the contingency of knowledge production and the contemporary management of resources.
4.	Evaluate the role of grand narratives in cross-cultural interactions.
5.	Evaluate strategies of knowledge negotiation in professional contexts.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Reading Response Paper (Week 1-2 Reading Response) (800 - 1,000 words)	10%	1
2.	Short Answer Exercises (resource recommendations) (6 x 100 words each)	20%	2,3,5
3.	Major Report (Including an Annotated Bibliography) (1,200 - 1,500 words)	50%	1,2,3,4,5
4.	Class participation (Either in-class participation, and/or 10 x written contributions/responses to the class discussion board) (10 x 150 words)	20%	2,4,5

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	Semester 2	Internal	Danala - Education and Community Precinct	ITV,OLR	View
2026	Semester 2	External	External Studies	ITV,OLR	View

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ITV: This unit will be delivered/part-delivered intensively in this teaching period rather than over the full semester.

OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2026 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2025 Incidental Fees (PDF)